For three Sundays, the gospel readings have been parables about the kingdom of heaven. We have heard the Parables of the Sower, Weeds and Wheat, Mustard Seed, Yeast, Buried Treasure, Precious Pearl, and Dragnet. What I find interesting about the telling of the first two parables is that after each one it appears that Jesus provides an explanation for their meaning. However, the Dominican Scripture Scholar, Barbara Reid, OP, reminds us that before the parables were written down, they were told and retold by people who added details according to the circumstances and situations in which they … [Read more...] about The Kingdom of Heaven (Fr. Bob reflection)

We have all spoken words of magic. Think about the times when doors have been open, packages have floated through the air, heavy pieces of furniture have skated across the floor, and yes oh yes, a glass of cold milk and warm cookies suddenly appeared because you spoke the magic words, “Please and Thank-you!”   You may not know this but there is a process to learning magic. When we carefully study the education of the wizard in training Harry Potter, we see that the magic words he speaks like, “glissea,” “immobolus,” and “expecto protonum” are not effective unless they are accompanied by an … [Read more...] about What If? (Fr. Bob reflection)

Before embarking on a ship for a cruise, traveling in our cars to a new location, or flying in a jet to a popular tourist spot, many of us will ask our travel agents, search the Internet, and go to our public library for information about our long-awaited trip. And after we receive or find brightly colored brochures, detailed maps, and interesting articles we devour them, committing every bit of information to memory making the new-found knowledge part of who we are before we ever leave our homes. For the next three Sundays, we journey through the parables of the Kingdom in Matthew’s gospel. … [Read more...] about Our Journey (Fr. Bob reflection)

I have always had a difficult time with the passage from the Gospel of Matthew that we hear on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. I suspect that other people have a problem with it as well. This is because the passage presents us with a paradox that is worked out only through careful biblical interpretation of the passage and a thoughtful analysis of our own lives. From my own experience, I know that yokes are very, very heavy. I use to sit in front of my family’s black and white television set and watch “Death Valley Days,” a weekly western series with former president Ronald Regan as … [Read more...] about Learn from Me (Fr. Bob reflection)

We all have our own experiences and thoughts about leftovers. After sharing a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, a Christmas feast, a Fourth of July barbeque, or just an everyday meal, we have to decide what to do with any leftovers. Some people lock up leftovers in airtight plastic containers. Some people put leftovers on display in a clear ziplock bag. Some people shroud leftovers with a blanket of aluminum foil. Some people show leftovers to the door by putting them in the hands of family and friends. Some people throw leftovers away. We all have our own experiences and thoughts about … [Read more...] about The Responsibility of Freedom (Fr. Bob reflection)

Years ago when I taught moral theology to high school students, I used an exercise to demonstrate how people develop routine patterns in their daily behaviors. I would direct my students to stretch out their arms in front of them and then to cross their arms in front of their chests. I asked them to look down and take note of which arm was on top and which arm was on the bottom. A second time, I directed them to stretch out their arms in front of them and then to fold their arms in front of their chests but in reverse order. After needing to try it more than once and some giggling, most of my … [Read more...] about Becoming More Christlike (Fr. Bob reflection)

General Audience March 9, 1994 “The Holy Spirit, the giver of every gift and the main principle of the Church's vitality, does not only work through the sacraments. According to St. Paul, he who distributes to each his own gifts as he wills (1 Cor. 12:11), pours out into the People of God a great wealth of graces both for prayer and contemplation and for action. They are charisms: lay people receive them too, especially in relation to their mission in the Church and society. The Second Vatican Council stated this in connection with St. Paul: "The Holy Spirit also distributes special graces … [Read more...] about Pope John Paul II Speaks On Charisms (Fr. Bob reflection)

Women and men who belong to the Order of Preachers have a great love and respect for the dead. For eight centuries, Dominicans have had customs and practices that turn their prayers to those who have died. For example, on every anniversary of a Sister’s or Brother’s death, we remember them in prayer by name. Dominican women pray suffrages for the members of their community for eight days after their death. All Dominican men of a province celebrate a Mass for their brother when he dies. Dominicans celebrate the Feast of All Saints Of the Order of Preachers on November 7 and we celebrate the … [Read more...] about A Memorial Day Reflection (Fr. Bob reflection)